Houseware and gifts fairs at the Hong Kong Convention Centre

April was a busy month for trade fairs in Hong Kong, two large fairs: Houseware and textiles, Gifts and printing fairs all took place within two weeks. Apart from local design studios, manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors, there were also companies from around the world exhibiting at these fairs.

Left: Taiwanese design booth at the Gift Fair; Right: Smart Gifts Design Awards 2013

At the Gift Fair, there was an area exhibiting the winners and finalists of the Hong Kong Smart Gifts Design Awards 2013. Overall, I think the standard is not outstanding because many items are too "designed" ( just my opinion) and out of all the work, my favourite is the eco pinhole camera designed by Kam Yat Hui from Skyhui Works & Creations, which is fun, nostalgic and unique.

Left: Seminar at the Gift Fair; Right: Charming Everyday Things calendar

While I was at the Gift Fair, I also attended the free seminars on giftware trends and e-commerce marketing, given by Ms Yoko Kawashima from Future Design Lab. of Itochu Fashion System ( who is also an adjudicator of the Good Design Award in Japan) and Mr Kinsen Lee from Radica Systems. The seminars were informative and insightful, but I was particularly intrigued by Charming Everyday Things, a project initiated by Ms Kawashima that introduces 365 Japanese daily items in a calendar-style format. Aside from the calendar ( which I later found out is not for sale), the 365 items were also exhibited and sold in Paris and throughout Japan last year. I love the concept and I think it is a brilliant way to discover new items or even items that people take for granted sometimes.